Scurvy Scorbutus. 567 



but much crookedness and distortion. As in man the disease is 

 essentially chronic and advances slowly, with anaemia, emaciation, 

 debility and at timea diarrhoea. 



Diagnosis depends largely on the recognition of the excess of 

 urates in the deposits. These appear under the microscope as fine 

 acicular crystals, which in the harder portions have a concentric 

 arrangement. A portion of the concretion may be moistened with 

 a few drops of nitric acid and evaporated to dryness. To one 

 part of the residue is added, by means of a pipette, a drop of aqua 

 ammonia, and to another caustic soda. The ammonia develops a 

 beautiful purple red color, and the soda a blue or purplish blue 

 ring (Murexide test). In tubercular joints, which are common 

 in birds, the caseated nodule is made up of cells and granular de- 

 bris, with tubercle bacilli, and though cretaceous particles may be 

 present they fail to give the microscopic and color appearances of 

 uric acid. 



Treatment. This must be largely preventive. The rich al- 

 buminoid feeding and close confinment must be modified especi- 

 ally in the older birds, and eliminating agents must be given in 

 the drinking water. The Carlsbad combination (sodium sulphate 

 22 ; potassium sulphate i ; sodium chloride 9 ; sodium bicarbon- 

 ate 18) may be used. Powdered colchicum ^ gr. once or twice 

 daily during an attack, or piperazin ^ gr. twice a day. Locally, 

 abscesses should be opened, and like any sores or ulcers, treated 

 with antiseptics .(Salicylate of sodium 75 grs., glycerine 2 o^s.; 

 or piperazin solution 2 : 100). 



SCURVY: SCORBUTUS. 



Definition. Susceptible animals : pigs, dogs. Causes : unwholesome salt 

 meat lack of fresh food, vegetables, potassium, bad environment, unvary- 

 ing diet, lack of free range, putrescent food, foul water, infection ; non re- 

 currence. Lesions : blood black, diffluent, little rigor mortis, excess of so- 

 dium, petechise and extravasations, red marrow, softened, swollen, bleeding, 

 ulcerating gums. Symptoms : Anorexia, prostration, debility, tardy move- 

 ments, petechia, loss of bristles, ulcers, gum lesions, joint swellings, blood 

 extravasations. Diarrhoea. Prognosis unfavorable. Treatment : correct un- 

 wholesome environment and food, wash, rich food partly green or animal, 

 iron, bitters, arsenic, mouth wash (potassium chlorate), for suckling milk. 

 Butcher. 



